July/August 2017 Volunteer Instructor Newsletter

Volunteer Instructor Newsletter

Oberg is Regional Training Officer for North Metro

Brett Oberg began his duties as the North Metro Regional Training Officer on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

He will serve the following Counties: Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright. His phone number is 320-234-3741.

Welcome, Brett!

New Role for Frank Rezac

Frank Rezac began his duties as the Conservation Officer for the St. Cloud station on July 12. He served as the Regional Training Officer for Central MN the past 12 years.

We want to thank Frank for his hard work and dedication to the Safety Training Section and wish him well in his new role.

Thank you, Frank!

2017 MN Hunting & Trapping Regulations Booklets Now Available

The 2017 Minnesota Hunting & Trapping Regulations booklets, as well as the 2017 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations booklets, are now available for fall firearms safety classes.

If you order supplies of 100 or more for your firearms safety class/field day, please contact the DNR Information Center to have your Hunting Regulations books shipped to you directly. You can contact them at 888-646-6367 or email them at info.dnr@state.mn.us. For firearms class supplies less than 100, they will ship with your supplies upon request.

NOTE: Warehouse Hours of Operation

Reminders from the Safety Training Office

* Submit your order for supplies at least 30 days prior to the start date of your class. Please check your supplies immediately upon receipt and notify us if there is anything missing or if you need more of anything.

* Rosters - Instructor Rosters and Student Rosters - should be submitted within 5 days of the completion of the course. This keeps your status "active" as an instructor, and gives us our numbers of youth certified in safety training.

* Please contact us with any change of address, phone number, email address so that we have your most current information.

Thanks!

Instructor Training Opportunity

The
Wells Rifle and Pistol Club has partnered with the MN
Volunteer Instructor Association (MVSIA) to offer an NRA Range Safety Officer Course on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Go to www.mvsia.org and click on Upcoming Seminars and download the Registration form.

Readiness Plan for DNR Safety Instructors to Consider

Safety instructors leading DNR safety training programs must practice due care and diligence to respond to incidents which can occur in the classroom or at outside locations. Despite taking measures to prevent accidents, every so often an incident takes place during a class. While we don't ask volunteers to have first aid training, please make sure you know the procedures to respond quickly and appropriately if the need arises.

A Readiness Plan, also referred to as Risk Management Plan, should be part of the planning stages for future training classes.

Are you prepared to respond to an emergency?

Things to consider--

-- Do any instructors/adults have first aid or emergency medical background to assist with first aid?

--Make the necessary assignments to have responsible persons who can react to emergency situations for each session whether in the classroom or at a rural testing location.

What if an accident/incident occurs during a safety session?

Have a plan of action --

-- Personal injury - call an ambulance if needed. Give basic first aid and contact the local area Conservation Officer to report the injury.

-- Vehicle damage or equipment failure - must be reported to the local area Conservation Officer/RTO.

Appoint a Safety Officer - Instructor groups should appoint a Safety Officer to check and re-check equipment and monitor potential hazards that may arise throughout the training course.

New Benefit for IHEA-USA Instructors

IHEA-USA & Experticity have launched a new partnership to reward instructors and increase funding for hunter education. IHEA-USA instructors are invited to participate in an exclusive discount program on Experticity.com, where hundreds of brands offer hunting experts like you the opportunity to enjoy VIP discounts of up to 70% off and the opportunity to buy new products from the hunting brands you know and love.